When my son, Max, was in first grade he asked
almost daily, “Is this the day that we are getting a dog?” My answer remained the same, “No, not until I find the right dog.” After all, adopting a dog might be precipitated
by a boy’s love for dogs, but ultimately it is the MOM's task to care for the dog.
And then on December 2, 2004 we adopted not just the right dog, but the
perfect dog. Nigel, the best dog in the world,
Dog years go by much too fast. Recently, it had become difficult for Nigel to stand – his back
legs often gave out. He was falling all of the time – he fell in yard, on walks
and in the house. He fell in the night
when he tried to get up from the bed in my room to go to the bed in Max’s
room. He no longer got up for breakfast.
On August 13, 2016, Max and I made the difficult decision to ask the veterinarian to come to our home to humanely euthanize Nigel.
Max left for college three days later. My house is now sadly silent. Not because Max is gone – I hear his text
message chirps often in response to my many questions. But there are no Nigel sounds. No tags jingling, no nails scraping, no old
bones creaking while attempting to stand when I come home.
I have many, many wonderful Nigel memories. And pictures – I have
lots and lots of pictures. But what I don’t have is time. I don’t get to spend any more time with
Nigel, the best dog in world.
